NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville is home to thousands of musicians and on Tuesday night a core part of the industry was honored during the fifth Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards.
"There's an argument- who knows if we couldn't have our songs without the artist, the artist couldn't have anything to sing if it wasn't for us," said songwriter Ashley Gorley. "So it's a perfect marriage of the two". He took home two awards: 'Songwriter of the Year' and 'Songwriter of the Decade'.
Some of the big awards of the night include Garth Brooks receiving the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, Taylor Swift winning the ‘Songwriter-Artist of the Decade’ and Matthew West won "Songwriter-Artist of the Year". "One month ago I headlined my first show at the Ryman Auditorium and here I am a month later being given this award by NSAI," said West.
The awards are part of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. The goal is to honor those whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook.
Around two dozen artists performed throughout the night including Luke Combs, Jordan Davis and Thomas Rhett.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the organization's highest honor. Brooks was chosen personally by Kristofferson for the footprint he has left on the history of American music and for being an inspiration for thousands of other aspiring songwriters and artists throughout his career.
The event happened at the Ryman at 6:30 p.m.
